Because of Cleveland's poverty, CMSD students qualify for two free tries at the ACT, so offering the test could represent a third, said Karen Thompson, deputy director of curriculum and instruction. She said research shows that scores increase with additional exposure to the exam.

"We need to give our students a chance to practice a career and college readiness assessment," she said.

The District administers the PSAT, or Preliminary SAT to students in the eighth through 11th grades. The PSAT serves as practice for the SAT but can help students earn scholarships.